GEORGE TOWN – Penang will receive more aid and resources from the Health Ministry to assist in its current battle against the surge of Covid-19 cases.
After a meeting with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today, Health Deputy Director-General (Public Health) Datuk Dr Chong Chee Kheong said the ministry is also in discussions with private hospitals to increase their capacity.
Chow said among the issues they discusses was the construction of a field hospital next to Penang General Hospital, which is expected to be ready soon.
“I have been informed that the ministry will deploy more medical staff to help the state Health Department address the surge in Covid-19 cases.”
Meanwhile, Bukit Mertajam Hospital, which has been turned into a Covid-19 hospital, received a RM234,000 donation from badminton icon Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
State-federal coordinator for Covid-19 Steven Sim said the donation will be used to help fund upgrading works and additional beds to accommodate Covid-19 patients.
Bukit Mertajam Hospital will have an enclosed structure built adjacent to its Emergency and Trauma Unit to house another 32 beds. The extra beds will be an addition to its existing 16 beds.
“The new structure will increase the hospital’s emergency unit capacity and help with the influx of Covid-19 patients.
“The upgrading works, which have begun and are expected to take three weeks to complete, will ensure better workflow at the unit,” said Sim, who is also Bukit Mertajam MP.
Penang’s rate of death per 100,000 remains high at 17.9. – The Vibes, September 20, 2021
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